Tag: Mel Bradley

Recap - Sunday Session

Recap: Mel Bradley’s Textile Journey – October Sunday Session

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
A woman demonstrating fabric draping while holding a piece of brown material, with various garments displayed on a rack behind her.
A woman with short grey hair and glasses stands in front of a clothing rack displaying various scarves and garments in vibrant colours while explaining something to an audience.

On Sunday, the 18th of October, guild member Mel Bradley shared her Textile Journey with members.

We learned about her undergraduate and postgraduate studies, the various workspaces she has had in Dublin and Drogheda, the fashion designers she has collaborated with, and the beautiful pieces she has created for exhibitions.

And, of course, we had the opportunity to do plenty of oohing and aahing, and even TOUCH her wonderful work! It was a real treat to see these pieces up close and appreciate the craftsmanship, creativity, and detail that go into them.

Some Photos of Mel’s Work

A luxurious green velvet kaftan with intricate black floral patterns displayed on a mannequin.
A person holding a brightly coloured scarf featuring abstract floral designs in shades of red, purple, and green, set against a backdrop of clothing items on a rack and table.
Participants holding a large scarf featuring a painted design of grass and a clear blue sky, inside a room with wooden flooring and windows.
A collection of various fabrics neatly arranged, featuring vibrant colours and different textures, including black with red accents, pastel purple, and warm orange hues.
A person holding a black piece of fabric while examining a variety of colourful textiles spread out on a table.
Assorted textile materials including fabric pieces, yarn, and decorative elements displayed on a table.

A Video of Mel’s Talk

Mel’s PowerPoint

Due to technical difficulties, we couldn’t present her detailed PowerPoint, but Mel improvised brilliantly by sharing her gorgeous textiles and chatting about each creation.

To view Mel’s PowerPoint presentation, see here: Mel-Bradley-Silk_powerpoint.pptx

Additional Resources

Mel mentioned Take Two art courses taught by Claire Benn. Take Two is an online platform which has pre-recorded, self-paced mixed media and textile courses. One of Claire Benn’s courses can be found here: https://taketwoart.com/courses/clairebennmasterclass

Mel also recommended the books that Claire Benn has written:

Mel spoke about her mother’s flower-making tools. Editor’s Note: There is a wonderful book on the subject in the Irish Library System: “Flower-making book: Making Silk Flowers” by Anne Tomlin – https://librariesireland.spydus.ie/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/FULL/WPAC/BIBENQ/1203440399/77906641,1

To see more of Mel’s work and learn about the workshops she teaches, please visit her website: https://melbradleysilks.ie/

Her Instagram: @mel.bradley.silks

Thank you, Mel, for sharing your Journey with us!

Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For questions about the content, please follow the link to the organisation hosting the event.

Education: Shibori Indigo Dyeing with Mel Bradley and Clodagh Mac Donagh – Co Louth

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Feltmakers Ireland guild members Mel Bradley and Clodagh Mac Donagh will be teaching a Shibori Indigo Dye Workshop in July.

Learn the Japanese art of Shibori to create patterns on fabrics. Using techniques such as Kumo (tying and clamping), Arashi (using poles and string to resist the dye), and ITAJIEME (folding and clamping).

Students will immerse their prepared fabrics in the Indigo dye bath and be amazed as the magic of the dye turns from green to a vivid blue.

Workshop suitable for beginners and intermediate students.

PLACE: Mel Bradley Silks, Gallery 13, Millmount Craft Quarter, Drogheda, Co Louth, A92 EH29

DATE: Saturday, the 25th of July, from 10 AM to 4 PM

COST €100 (€30 deposit required to secure a place)

To book, contact Mel at 0863712927

https://melbradleysilks.ie/ @mel.bradley.silks

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Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For questions about the content, please follow the link to the organisation hosting the event.

Education: Shibori with Indigo Dyeing Workshop – Drogheda

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Discover the Japanese art of Shibori with Indigo Dyeing, creating patterns on fabrics with Mel Bradley and Clodagh Mac Donagh.

Students will learn using techniques such as KUMO (tying and clamping), ARASHI (using poles and string to resist the dye), and ITAJIEME (folding and clamping). Immerse your prepared fabrics in the Indigo dye bath and be amazed as the magic of the dye turns from green to a vivid blue.

The workshop is suitable for beginners and intermediate students.

Where: Gallery 13, Millmount Craft Quarter, Drogheda, Co Louth, A92 EH29
Date: Saturday, the 16th of August, 10 AM – 4 PM
Cost: €100 (€30 deposit required to secure a place)
Contact Mel on 0863712927 or melbradleysilks@gmail.com


Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

Exhibition: Member Mel Bradley Artwork – Louth Craftmark Group Exhibition – Armagh, UK

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Louth Craftmark is a group of makers and visual artists based in the North East of Ireland.

They currently have three exhibitions of ‘Reveal Conceal’ which span across three venues,

  • The Leitrim Design House, Carrick-on-Shannon, from 24th May to 6th July,
  • The Marketplace Theatre & Arts Centre, Armagh, 16th May – 5th July, and
  • The Cowshed Gallery, Farmleigh, 15th July to 15th August 2025.

While the artists’ pieces are not identical across all three venues, they are from the same collections of work in response to the theme of this show. The artists have come together across a range of disciplines to create a new body of work that explores the ‘inside out of things’.

Feltmakers Ireland member Mel Bradley‘s work is included at The Marketplace Theatre & Arts Centre.

Where: The Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre, Armagh, UK.

When: until the 5th of July.

The Leitrim Design House Gallery has information about the exhibition – https://leitrimdesignhouse.ie/blogs/news/louth-craftmark-exhibition

Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

Education: Textile Classes with Mel Bradley – Drogheda

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Feltmakers Ireland member Mel Bradley, a professional artist and teacher, will teach a series of five textile workshops this spring: silk painting, Nuno felting, indigo dyeing, and transfer printing. You can take one or multiple classes.

Classes are small and tailored to suit those attending.

When: Each session runs from 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM.

Where: Gallery 13, Millmount Craft Quarter, Drogheda, County Louth.

Note: The Silk Painting class on the 9th of March is already booked full.

For more information, contact Mel at 0863712927 or via Instagram at – https://www.instagram.com/mel.bradley.silks/